Concern over metro rail

Knowing that the under-construction metro rail is facing space shortage for its elevated stations in absence of adequate land, it is hard to be optimistic about Dhaka's smooth traffic movement. When the city often sees gridlock, a Financial Express report published on Sunday said movement of passengers of Mass Rapid Transit line-06 (MRT-06) and use of footpath would be hampered for lack of space. A chaotic traffic situation may also be created when passengers would get onto and out of trains at stations, added the report.

Despite recommendation for land acquisition around the stations to set up escalator, lift and parking facility, the wholly-owned state entity to build, operate and maintain MRT lines, rejected it at the design stage to avoid complications. This indicates some important issues were ignored while planning the first MRT, or there might have been a hasty decision. In any case, such an oversight, which is expected to ease traffic movement in this mega-city, would dampen the people's hope for improvement. As DMTC managing director MAN Siddique said they are trying to fix these problems, we still hope all necessary measures would be taken before there is a real setback.

Atiqul Haq

Badda, Dhaka